You did the best you could for a very long time.

Shannon, that must have been scary.
It is a pity that sometimes we cannot do everything we would like for our loved ones. Unfortunately the way society an family changed means that we cannot leave work to take care of older people and they are left almost to their own resources.
You have always done the best you could under the circumstances and this decision was the most logic.
I am sure you will all keep given her your love and support even though she is at your SIL's.

What Anna said. You have more than done your duty, up to and including finding a good alternative now that events have overtaken your ability to keep MIL in your home.

I think you deserve a big fat medal! Or... how about adding this to your spring wardrobe?

Well at least she aired the house out really well before she left! (I'm so sorry but I just couldn't resist.)

You and your family have been saints about this. I hope you can relax and get back to normal. I'm glad she wasn't hurt too, that would have been really hard to get over. Whew!

How scary! I am glad she is OK and glad that a solution has been found to have your SIL step up to help care for her. You have done more than your fair share of duty and have been a saint of a daughter in law. Kudos to you for helping her. And I am glad the air in your house won't be full of smoke anymore, especially for your son's sake!

I'm glad a solution has been found, Shannon. I hope you can all take a deep breath and relax now.

Shannon, you all were wonderful for her, give yourselves a big pat on the back. How traumatic that must have been to lose her, I'm glad it turned out so well but I can only imagine how frazzled you must have been.

It's not about passing her around it's about sharing her! When my mother was sick she stayed with me for over a year, then moved home and my older brother moved in for a year, then switched with my younger brother who moved in and I came over daily towards the end (last 6months) . My sister pitched in by making meals and bringing them over. In the end we all felt great that we all worked together and that she reaped what she sowed in her love for all of us...

Tracey - thank you so much for your reply. I'm going to keep repeating that in my head

You took terrific care of her for a very long time. You and your family treated her with love and care, and you did the best you could given the circumstances.

OMG, I cannot imagine the drama when you lost her:-(( but I know you did all it could have been done, Shannon, and think you deserve the relieve, she'll have a good place at your SIL.

It sounds like things have worked out for the best, and both MIL and SIL will benefit from this time together - you've given them an opportunity. I just wanted to make sure that you and DH are aware that there are EI benefits (6 weeks I believe?) available to people caring for very ill relatives. These might come in handy for your SIL or yourselves if you need to assist her or just want time with MIL.